|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
InvestHK and HKCEA recently hosted an interaction focussing on the promising prospects burgeoning from the Northern Metropolis and the symbiotic relationship between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The event, curated for both local and international enterprises, delved into the burgeoning opportunities unfolding within the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
Ms. Alpha Lau, Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK and Mr. Yu Xiao, President of HKCEA set the stage for presentations on the Northern Metropolis Action Agenda and the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park within the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.
These sessions were delivered by Mr. Vic Yau, Director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, and Ms. Yu Jing, Deputy Director General of the Shenzhen Municipal Development and Reform Commission.
Infrastructure expansion serves as the backbone for Hong Kong’s economic sustenance amidst burgeoning population challenges. Projections indicate a substantial surge in annual capital works expenditure, anticipated to hit HK$100 billion shortly, with construction output poised to soar to approximately HK$300 billion in the coming years. This robust investment underscores the criticality of initiatives like the Lantau Tomorrow Vision and the Northern Metropolis, both instrumental in addressing diverse needs.
The visionary Lantau Tomorrow Vision is geared towards augmenting land reservoirs to cater to housing demands and multifaceted necessities. Simultaneously, the Northern Metropolis charts a transformative course, envisioning the metamorphosis of Hong Kong’s northern precincts into a vibrant metropolitan expanse. Over the next two decades, this zone will evolve into a hub catering to myriad facets of life – encompassing residential, professional, and seamless transit realms for its inhabitants.
Ms Lau explained that the Northern Metropolis heralds a transformative phase, fostering closer economic alliances among GBA cities. This evolution promises substantial opportunities for high-quality GBA development. The convergence of distinct zones within the Northern Metropolis and their Shenzhen counterparts will evolve in tandem, propelling not only Hong Kong’s growth but also infusing renewed vitality into the entire GBA.
Highlighting the pivotal role of the 14th Five-Year Plan, Ms Lau reiterated the HKSAR Government’s steadfast commitment to crafting the Northern Metropolis into an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub.
“This I&T enclave within the Northern Metropolis will seamlessly integrate with the Shenzhen Park of the Hetao Co-operation Zone, establishing a robust ‘South-North dual engine’ industrial paradigm,” she emphasised.
Mr Yu echoed Ms Lau’s sentiments, stressing the seminar’s intent to empower Hong Kong companies to grasp the Northern Metropolis’ opportunities through enhanced communication platforms. Leveraging Hong Kong’s prowess in science, technology education, and professional talent alongside Shenzhen’s innovative ecosystem, he emphasised the synergy they could create. This partnership, he believed, was pivotal in catalysing the GBA’s evolution into an international innovation and technology nucleus while injecting fresh impetus into its development.
Dr Hoey Simon Lee explored the rich cooperative landscape between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The insights underscored the paramount significance of collaboration in steering the region’s evolution and maximising the potential for mutual advancement.
During the Policy Address 2023, Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive, John Lee, confirmed the integration of the Northern Metropolis with the strategic planning of Shenzhen and other cities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (“GBA”). He announced the government’s intention to repurpose a two-hectare site in Sandy Ridge, North District.
OpenGov Asia reported that Professor Sun Dong, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry, conducted a thorough inspection of a promising new site earmarked for innovation and technology (I&T) endeavours in Sandy Ridge, North District.
Based on the initial assessment, the government perceives the site as viable for data centre development. This visit unveiled the immense potential this site holds for furthering Hong Kong’s strides in the realm of I&T.
